State Highway Safety Group Supports Red Light Cameras

New Study Reinforces Safety Benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) strongly supports the use of automated traffic enforcement technology, including red light cameras, to improve safety for all road users. In a newly released publication, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that communities that have suspended red light camera programs have seen their rate of fatal red-light-running crashes per capita increase 30 percent. It is mind-boggling that these proven safety tools are being removed despite numerous research studies validating their safety benefit.

This latest IIHS research reinforces prior studies finding a correlation between red light cameras and safety gains, including a recent evaluation of red light camera programs in Delaware that showed a reduction in dangerous T-bone crashes at intersections equipped with cameras.

While surveys show that residents in most cities favor red light programs, it’s disappointing that the total number of communities using this lifesaving technology has dropped from 533 in 2012 to 467 last year. Too often, a vocal minority leading the charge to suspend these programs are costing lives in their communities.

Following removal of these beneficial safety tools from the community, this research reveals that subsequent fatal crashes at signalized intersections increased by 16 percent. This means that between 2010 and 2014, 63 deaths occurred in intersections that previously were protected by red light cameras. These numbers represent real lives lost that could have been saved with red light cameras. We hope that states and communities across the country will examine the latest IIHS data and consider implementing red light cameras in locations where they will truly make a difference, saving both lives and money.

To maximize safety benefits, GHSA recommends that red light cameras follow the guidelines established by the Federal Highway Administration and be used at high-crash sites or where law enforcement personnel cannot be deployed safety, implementation includes a public information campaign, and revenue derived from the program flow back into highway safety efforts.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy, enhance program management and promote best practices. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202-789-0942 or visit www.ghsa.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GHSAhq or follow us on Twitter @GHSAHQ.